Veteran’s Day at the Holmes County Fair honors those who serve

  • By Kelley Mohr
  • August 11, 2011
  • 282
                        
Summary: On Veteran's Day at the Holmes County Fair, veterans and Active Military received free admission in honor of their service. Story: In Holmes County, Veteran’s Day is not only celebrated on Nov. 11. Veterans were honored again on Wednesday, August 10, when the Holmes County Fair observed Veteran’s Day. The fair offered free admission for active military and past veterans who showed their IDs at the gate. “We’ve had quite a few come through”, said Mindy Campbell, a volunteer at the front gate. She said that some veterans who came through the gate simply showed their IDs and entered the fair, while others, such as one gentleman who served in the airforce for 44 years, elaborated on their time in the service. “Some veterans were wanting to tell stories and others were pretty casual about it,” she said. One veteran who attended the fair was very appreciative of the gesture. “I was in the army many years ago,” said Howard Cooper, a veteran who served in several countries in Europe as part of the Construction Engineer Core in the years before the Vietnam War. He constructed buildings in countries such as Yugoslavia, Italy and Germany. “I really appreciate that people remember us,” he said. “I was never in combat, I didn’t sacrifice my life, but it’s still nice.” Veteran’s Office Director Jason Brooks said that Veteran’s Day at the fair is very beneficial for veterans in two ways: it shows the county’s appreciation and it provides an opportunity to reach out to veterans in need of the Veteran’s Office’s services. The Veteran’s Office provides comprehensive support services to Holmes County veterans who have served in any branch of the military. They provide free financial assistance, transportation to Veterans Affairs medical facilities and help veterans receive claims and benefits. Brooks, who operated an informative Veteran’s Office booth at the fair, explained that many of Holmes County’s numerous veterans do not receive the benefits they deserve and are in need of assistance. “There are approximately 1,800 veterans in our county,” said Brooks. “Anytime we have a chance to do any sort of outreach for veterans we try to take advantage of it.” The Veteran’s Office outreach could be anything from providing financial assistance and healthcare to veterans to honoring veterans for their sacrifice and service. “Its the least we can do for our veterans to have them come and enjoy the fair,” he said. “It’s a credit to their service that we’re able to pick up the cost for them.” Brooks said that he hopes that the fair’s Veteran’s Day will motivate veterans who came out to the fair to make the trip to the Veteran’s Office. “We do many things to promote our office and get veterans in the doors so we can give them benefits,” he said. “There are more and more participating, it’s good for the office and it’s good for the fair. Throughout the fairgrounds veterans and military members could be found watching the antique tractor pull, eating fair food and talking with old friends. “There’s a pretty good response to Veteran’s Day,” said Brooks after seeing many veterans he knew personally. “It’s a sign that what we are doing for our veterans is working.”


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